Happy New Year! I can hardly believe it’s 2025, and I feel so grateful to be going into the New Year with your support. Here at BeFitSRQ, we’re all too familiar with the traditional New Year schtick… write down 50 new goals, make a vision board, and beat yourself up in 6 months when you’re nowhere near achieving them.
Sound familiar? Yeah, me too.
What we need isn’t just a list of new goals… it’s a new approach to how we tackle those goals. This month, I want to share with you a new method for goal setting, some workout inspiration (as always), and a few things that are helping me feel fit and festive in the new year.
Let’s get started!
Make your Goals SMART
Have you ever heard of SMART goals? If not, it’s time to get out a pen and paper and jot down this new method for goal setting (and achieving!)
Here’s the method: Simply make sure all your goals are…
Specific,
Measurable,
Attainable,
Relevant
and Time-bound
Interested in learning more? Check out this helpful article! Implement this method for goal setting this year and watch your results skyrocket!
Movement of the Month
Let’s kick the new year off with some of the hottest fitness trends of 2025! Check out this fantastic list of some of the best fitness trends of 2025, and I’m going to go over them with you right now.
- Water Running: Water running is a low-impact, full-body workout that burns 40% more calories than running on land. It requires minimal gear: a pool and a flotation belt. For added enjoyment, consider waterproof headphones. You can run in place or do laps in either the shallow or deep end. YouTube offers various workout sessions and tips to help you customize your routine, whether you’re aiming to boost endurance or train for a road race.
- Badminton: Badminton, a rising sport popular with Gen Z, has seen an 80% increase in searches for rackets and outfits. With easy-to-learn rules, it can be played in parks or parking lots and is affordable — costing under $20 for two rackets and shuttlecocks. It’s a fun way to switch up your fitness routine, especially since you can play with a partner.
- Longevity Workouts: As we age, prioritizing functional movement over aesthetics and strength becomes essential. Workouts designed to improve immune function, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being are key. Strength training, Pilates, yoga, stability conditioning, and mobility exercises—like standing on one leg—help enhance movement, reduce injury risk, and improve coordination. These exercises encourage body awareness and presence. Dance is another enjoyable way to incorporate functional movement while having fun.
- Recovery Sessions: Rethink rest days by incorporating low-intensity recovery techniques into your routine. Instead of alternating between strength training and cardio, try practices like cryotherapy, infrared saunas, massages, dynamic stretching, and foam rolling. These methods can accelerate recovery, prevent burnout, and keep your workouts fresh, helping you bounce back faster and reduce boredom.
Delicious & Nutritious Recipes for your Weeknight Meals
Looking to spice up your meal planning? Try these two delicious new recipes! White Chicken Chili offers a comforting blend of tender chicken, beans, and spices for a hearty dish. For a lighter option, enjoy Cauliflower Fried Rice, a healthy twist on the classic, with cauliflower rice sautéed with veggies and savory seasonings. Both are flavorful, easy to make, and perfect for adding variety to your weeknight meals!
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Salt
- 1 cup chopped scallions, light and green parts separated (you’ll need 5-6 scallions)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger, from a 1-inch knob (see note)
- One 2-lb head cauliflower (or 2 pounds “ready to cook” cauliflower rice), thawed if frozen
- 4-5 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Asian/toasted sesame oil
- ¼ cup chopped cashews or peanuts (optional)
Directions
- Grate the cauliflower in a food processor fitted with the grating disc. Alternatively, grate on the large holes of a box or hand-held grater. Set aside. (Skip this step if using “ready to cook” cauliflower rice.)
- Heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a large (10 or 12-inch) nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the eggs and a pinch of salt and scramble until the eggs are cooked. Transfer to a small plate and set aside. Wipe the pan clean.
- Add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the pan and set over medium heat. Add the light scallions, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring often, until softened but not browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the grated cauliflower, 4 tablespoons of the soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, for about 3 minutes. Add the peas and carrots and continue cooking until the cauliflower “rice” is tender-crisp and the vegetables are warmed through, a few minutes. Stir in the rice vinegar, sesame oil, dark green scallions, nuts (if using) and eggs. Taste and adjust seasoning (adding the remaining tablespoon of soy sauce if necessary). Serve hot.
Ingredients
- 2 15.5-ounce (439-g) cans white beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups (1 L) low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- 2 medium poblano peppers, seeded and diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1½ teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
- Salt
- 1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed and shredded (about 4 cups)
- ¾ cup frozen corn
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, from one lime, plus more to taste
- ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro
Directions
- In a food processor, blend half of the beans (1 can) with 1 cup (240 ml) of the chicken broth. Set aside both the puréed beans and the remaining whole beans.
- Add the oil to a large pot or Dutch oven and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the onion, jalapeño pepper and poblano peppers and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute more. Add the cumin, coriander and ancho chili powder and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for one minute more to toast the spices. Add the chicken broth, puréed beans and ½ teaspoon of salt; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken, reserved whole beans, corn, and lime juice; bring back to a simmer and cook until everything is heated through, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and lime juice, if necessary. Stir in the cilantro. (Note that the broth will be somewhat soupy — that’s how it is supposed to be. It thickens the longer it sits; see note below.) Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, and lime wedges.
Ring in the New Year with Natural Aromatherapy
Prioritizing self care in the new year? Get your spa on with the doTERRA exfoliating body scrub to reveal smoother, brighter skin for the new year and immerse your senses in the smell of ginger, wild orange and grapefruit.
Stay Safe in the Sun with BlouqUV
Ready to get outdoors and enjoy some walks (or maybe some badminton) in the sunshine and crisp air? Make sure your skin is protected! Even if the temperatures are cool, the UV rays can still be incredibly damaging. Luckily, BloqUV has you covered (literally and figuratively) with their sleek and stylish men’s and women’s V-Neck shirts.
Element Tree Essentials
Leaning into your feminine side in 2025? Indulge in the newest luxurious lotion candle from Element Tree Essentials: The Pink Moon Collection. With notes of lily blossom, warm sugar and patchouli, this candle is the perfect addition to your new and improved morning and evening routines! Even if you’re not a candle person, this luxurious scent has been made into solid perfume, room spray, and even a prism diffuser.
Recover Like an Athlete with Laser Therapy
Start the new year with a plan to help your body feel it’s best! Have YOU experienced any of these symptoms?
Local Happenings This Month
Enjoy a craft beer festival with Mote Marine Laboratory at Sharktoberfeston January 19th, 7-10 PM. Grab your tickets here!
Enjoy the Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival on January 10th-12th, produced by Paragon Festivals and hosted by the Downtown Sarasota Enrichment Association! Learn more here.
Funny Girl, a musical comedy, is premiering at Van Wezel on Tuesday, January 14th! Check out show times and grab your tickets here.
That’s all this month, friend! I hope to see more of you at BeFitSRQ this year and am always here for you as you pursue your health and wellness goals.
Warmly,
Michele